Media for Paphs

[William]

I have several Paphs and they're new to me. I read about rot and I've read that they should be repotted about once a year? My question is what the best medium to use. Right now they're in plastic pots and I have them in bark. I have lava rock and was wondering if thats better. Perhaps there is something I can use that's even better than either.

[bonsai1504]

i am new to paphs too and i have this same question. hopefully we will both learn!

[whygreenberg]

I believe that fine bark is the classic Paph potting medium. That said, there are probably as many other different ways of doing it as there are people that grow them. Should be interesting to hear what others do.

Also...plastic is generally preferred for Paphs since they like the moisture.

[wahaj]

Well, knowing the rate at which paph roots grow for me, I personally wouldn't make such a drastic change, i.e. from bark to lava rock. Also lava rock is known to hold onto nutrients which build up and can harm the fine roots on paphs. Isn't a huge issue on more vigorously rooting orchid, but I wouldn't advise it for paphs. If you're s/h is the best option for you, I'd advise something like leca or prime agra.

As I'm a chronic over waterer, I find it best to grow them in a mix of 5 parts medium grade bark, 2 parts perlite, 1 part charcoal, 1 part chopped up moss. I usually plant in clay pots. This pretty much allows me to be able to over water because the medium doesn't hold too much water anyway as it's very free draining, and the clay pot allows water to seep through the walls and evaporate as well.

If you're an under waterer then yes probably a mix containing fine bark and some peat would be best.

[Lagoon]

50% peatmoss,25% small bark & 25% small perlite. My paphs are potted in plastic and clay.

[dgenovese1]

I am also new to growing paphs, but here is what I have been doing. I use a seedling mix that contains equal parts of fine coconut chips, charcoal, bark, & aerolite, and I pot in plastic or clay. I grow my plants under my Vandas, so they get watered every day. They are doing great so far.

[kiki-do]

Originally Posted by dgenovese1

I am also new to growing paphs, but here is what I have been doing. I use a seedling mix that contains equal parts of fine coconut chips, charcoal, bark, & aerolite, and I pot in plastic or clay. I grow my plants under my Vandas, so they get watered every day. They are doing great so far.

That is interesting that you place under Vandas so they get watered every day. I'm new to paphs and trying to get a handle on their wants and needs. I have them in the same type mix, was told they don't like to be loose in the pot, and to brace them up nice and firm. Also, I was told not to let any water get on their leaves. The roots like to be moist and not dry out, but the leaves must stay dry.
Anyone else wet the leaves?????
I so love this site....everyone has a different way of doing things and we learn various tidbits of new information all the time.
It's a pain in the butt to have to be so careful not to wet the leaves. Perhaps that isn't the case. I can only hope!

[Jorch]

You can water the leaves providing that the temperature is high and there is ample circulation. The most important thing is that the leaves are dry by early evening (when the temp starts to drop).

[dgenovese1]

BlackOrchid....I am planning on repotting mine every 2 years...based on what a good friend has been doing and winning awards by doing for years. I haven't had any that long yet myself. Time will tell if it works well for me.

Kiki...I don't worry about getting the leaves wet on my paphs, as they dry fairly quickly here. So far I haven't noticed any fongus or rot on them...and I'm getting lots of new growths!

[blackorchid]

I pot them loosely in 100% long fiber sphagnum moss. It's doing great so far, the new roots really like this stuff. I don't know if it's a good advice to grow them that way but it sounds good to me because I can repot my paph once a year and the sphagnum is easy to clean off the root.